Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments of Lockjaw

7. Complications

Several possible complications can result from lockjaw. The earliest issues are dry mouth and inflammation, due to an inability to swallow saliva. Tooth decay and ulcer formation are common in people with lockjaw because they cannot practice proper oral hygiene. Teeth grinding, leading to the wearing away of enamel, is also typical. Long-term lockjaw can become nearly untreatable due to muscle contracture. Malnourishment is also possible if the individual has difficulty chewing or swallowing.